The bad news is that the amount of money available for property-tax relief is shrinking; the good news, there are still a plethora of programs and options available
Once a top priority for government leaders in Trenton, property-tax rebates and other direct-relief programs received nearly $3 billion in funding from the state budget a decade ago.
But this year, with Gov. Chris Christie proposing a $32.5 million reduction in funding for direct property-tax relief in his latest state budget proposal, the total will be just over $1 billion unless lawmakers can convince him to allow for an increase before the next fiscal year begins in July.
The reduction comes as Christie, a second-term Republican, in recent years has instead been using revenue growth to ramp up state contributions to the public-employee pension system, which has been another top priority for Democrats who control the Legislature. Christie has also pointed to his efforts to address property-tax increases at their root, including the 2 percent cap on annual property-tax hikes that he and lawmakers passed on a bipartisan basis in 2010.
Still, data released recently by the state Department of Community Affairs showed the average New Jersey property-tax bill rose to a record high of $8,549 last year, putting new heat on lawmakers to more fully address property taxes as they prepare to run for reelection this year with all 120 legislative seats on the ballot in November.
Gov. Chris Christie’s proposed New Jersey budget for fiscal year 2018 holds state aid to municipalities flat once again.
The result is towns across the Garden State are now scrambling to make ends meet, which in some cases will mean an increase in property taxes beyond the state-mandated 2 percent cap.
Michael Darcy, the executive director of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, said the cap is doing its job, holding the line on increases that have been significantly higher in the past, but there are built in exceptions to the cap, such as insurance and pension costs.
“The result is towns across New Jersey are finding it increasingly difficult to hold the line on tax hikes while providing necessary services because municipal aid from the state has been held flat for the past nine years,” he said.
Ridgewood NJ, after the recent spat what the Ridgewood Police Department called, “diversion burglaries” .A diversion burglary is when someone posing as a utility worker or chimney inspector or repairer comes to your door and while you are distracted speaking with them or when they request you take them to a distant part of the home, an accomplice enters and burglarizes your home.Readers say it time for a Village no-knock ordinance .
“More door knockers this week. Maybe a time for an ordinance change?”
Other posters agreed , “I have requested a no-knock ordinance for years and years. Time to end it. Sorry, Scouts. Of course, utilities wouldn’t be banned anyway. Just never open the door. I don’t even ask “who is it?” any more.”
Ridgewood NJ, the recent “no parking” ordinance pushed on Bogert and Cambridge has raised concerns over how the Village of Ridgewood communicates it business. Be it a “no parking “ordinance or a raise in commuter parking fees the Village however well intentioned is falling far short at getting the word out.
Many suspect the massive amount of Village committees with overlapping responsibilities seems to be creating more confusion as well as a ‘make work” atmosphere . This often results in nothing more than holding the committees captive to special interest agendas.
But the main question remains is ,’How are these types of proposed changes communicated/broadcast?”
A reader added , “How are 50 to 60 asleep? A posting was possibly put in the classified section of the Ridgewood News, that nobody reads? The people on the two streets should have been given proper notice. The village never enforced the “no parking 50 feet from the corner” sign and this ridiculous ordinance has no parking halfway up the street. This member of the Travell Safety Committee has overstepped her bounds. The council has said they will re-look at the ordinance and hopefully they mean that. Bogert and Cambridge are quiet streets that do not have a heavy traffic flow and this is totally unnecessary.”
Another reader asks ,”How do 50 people not know about it, if it was so well publicized???The Village did not include the people who are directly affected. A notice could have been sent to the people on the blocks affected and they would have been forewarned. Meanwhile, I’ll continue to make my own coffee and drive my regular sized car!”
While some suggest , “Ignorance is no excuse. This change was not slipped in during the middle of the night. It was broadcast, publicized, discussed, discussed some more. So sorry that some of you are too busy having lattes and driving around in massive SUV’s to pay attention to local happenings.”
Ridgewood Nj, Roots Steakhouse & Tobacco Shop of Ridgewood will host a “Davidoff 702 Dinner” on March 28th at 6pm at the Davidoff Lounge and then 7pm at Roots Steak House .
Tickets are $125 and you will receive at 3 coarse meal and 2 Davidoff 702 cigars . Tickets are limited .Call (201)447-2204 by March 22nd .
“One of the most iconic blends to ever come from Davidoff was the original 702, a limited edition cigar that was met with accolades. This year, Davidoff has released a cigar under the guise of that brand name, that is significantly different then the original release. The most obvious is the wrapper. The original release features a 702 Connecticut wrapper, while this time around it features a 702 Habano wrapper. The other difference is the cigar is released in a multitude of sizes that are the same blend as their corresponding lines, with a different wrapper.” Cigar Review
“It is time to unexpect. Davidoff Masterblenders have taken on the challenge to reimagine and reinvent our most iconic cigars –2000, Special R, Special T, Aniversario No. 3 among others – and give them an exciting twist for those seeking a more intense, bolder taste experience. These cigars, that have defined and refined Time, are wrapped in the new 702 ‘Habano’ wrapper from Ecuador to give them a bolder edge. The 702 Series is an exciting opportunity for those who have not yet had the chance to discover, or may want to rediscover, these iconic cigars,” explained Charles Awad, Senior Vice President Global Marketing and Innovation at Oettinger Davidoff AG in a press release.
10 Chestnut St
Ridgewood, New Jersey
@TheTobaccoShopOfRidgewood
Call (201) 447-2204
UPDATE FOR SANITATION PICK UP – WEEK OF MARCH 20TH
Update on Sanitation Pick-Up
March 20,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Due to the recent snow storm and a prediction of additional snow over the weekend , placing solid waste at the curb will be extended into next week. Regular rear-yard pickup will resume Monday, March 27th. We thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
A bishop in Sicily has banned known mafia criminals from acting as godfathers at baptisms in churches in his diocese.
Michele Pennisi, bishop of Monreale, near Palermo, said Friday he had issued a decree to that effect in a bid to challenge any notion that the bosses of organized crime have a paternalistic side to them.
“The mafia has always taken the term Godfather from the Church to give its bosses an air of religious respectability, whereas in fact the two worlds are completely incompatible,” the bishop told AFP.
Pennisi’s diocese includes Corleone, a vendetta-haunted village inland from Palermo which was the birthplace of Don Corleone, the fictional Godfather in Mario Puzo’s novel and Francis Coppola’s films.
In February the bishop made headlines by criticizing a priest who had allowed the son of one of Sicily’s most notorious mobsters, Toto Riina, to act as godfather at a baptism.
Thursday, March 23 at 6:45 PM – 9 PM Namaste Organic Spa 30 Franklin Ave, Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450
Guess who’s back!
Ridgewood NJ , Namaste Organic Spa is very excited to have Bhante Sujatha .
Rumi says “what you seek is seeking you”… perhaps it’s true. The evidence of the power of our minds is undeniable.. The ancient texts of the Buddha tell us that no external condition can be the cause of our happiness, only the mind has that ability. When people understand how they are influenced, the root causes of struggle and what we can do with our minds to make things better, sustainable happiness and radiant joy are the result. My life as a Buddhist monk has given me a front row seat to incredible transformation within so many people as I teach them how to empower the mind and cultivate the qualities that will help you find strength and happiness, as well as give you a burning desire to add more love to the world. When we understand our mind, we begin to re-shape our behavior and feelings about so many things… it’s the most loving act of service one can do for themselves and the world.
Connect with your natural healing power with the gentle guidance of Bhante Sujatha, Buddhist monk from Blue Lotus Temple in Woodstock, IL. This 2-hour workshop has been life-changing for many of its participants, regardless of religious background. The teaching is centered around the cultivation of self love, for without healthy self love, you cannot be fully present to love anyone or anything else.
Proceeds go to Bhante’s Incubator Project in Sri Lanka
Bhante will do his book signing after the workshop and his CDs are also avilable for purchase.
Bhante Sujatha, a 35+ year Buddhist Monk, is singularly focuses on adding more love in the world. Bhante teaches loving-kindness meditation to people around the globe for all those seeking the art of happiness and contentment. His approach to meditation is deep and simple, bringing core Buddhist teachings to everyone in a way that is practical and easy to understand. A joyful, radiant, funny and wildly energetic monk, Bhante will help you obtain peace that can only be found in deep silence. He is originally from Sri Lanka and is the head monk / abbot of the Blue Lotus Buddhist Temple and Meditation Center in Woodstock, IL.
Bhante believes his purpose is not only to teach meditation, but also, “teaching people how to be happy.”
Fee: $35 (Checks or Cash)
*First come, first serve basis*
Space limited. Advanced registration required (cash or check) by Sunday, March 19, 2017. Stop by the spa or mail payments to: 30 Franklin Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450.
Ridgewood NJ, According to Backgroundchecks.org Ridgewood came in ,in the top 50 safest places to live in New Jersey .Ranking number 47,and scoring a top 10 in Bergen County and Passaic County . Ridgewoood scored well despite have a larger population than many of the top place towns, a larger school district , a local hospital and easier commuter access with a train , bus station and highway park and ride .
Rounding out the Bergen County and Passaic County list were :
The Backgroundchecks.org list was compiled based on FBI violent crime stats and proprietary BackgroundChecks.org research data. Rates are normalized per 100,000 residents with the state average being 261 for violent crime and 1,734 for property crime. This is calculated by taking (# of crimes/population) * 100,000.
The website described #47 Ridgewood in glowing terms , “Located in Bergen County, Ridgewood is a village that is home to 24,900 residents. Just 20 miles northwest of Midtown Manhattan, Ridgewood is considered a suburban bedroom community and was included on Money’s list of Best Places to Live in the U.S. The violent crime rate here is 43.6, and residents of Ridgewood have a 1% chance of being affected by property crime.”
It’s been five years since Pope Francis kicked off one of the most striking papacies in memory. Within the Catholic world, sadly divided into warring political camps, he is seen as a hero by progressive Catholics and a scourge of conservatives.
Why do so many conservatives dislike Pope Francis? In many cases, because he makes noises they dislike.
Francis has had harsh words against globalized capitalism, has written a major encyclical on the environment, and has been a major supporter of migrants in the crisis seizing Europe. In all these controversies, he actually hasn’t strayed too far from Catholic orthodoxy. But the most charitable version of the conservative critique, which is not unjustified, is that his tone and emphasis make him sound like a straightforward progressive, and risks identifying the Magisterium of the Church with the progressive left.
Ridgewood NJ, Join us on Sunday, May 7th as we Hike or Bike to support Family Promise of Bergen County. Choose your route – 3 mile hike or bike OR 15 mile bike. We begin and end at Van Neste Square in Ridgewood. Fun for everyone with food, music, games, prizes, giveaways and more!
PLUS – Hike or Trike for kids under 5 and under! Free with adult registration.
Click here to register now!
Form a team with your family, friends, colleagues, school,
congregation, scout troop, sports team, etc.!
Create your own fundraising page! Have fun!
Family Promise is the only organization in Bergen County that provides shelter and support to homeless, working families with children. Thank you for your support.
For more information, please contact [email protected] or 201-833-8009
Ridgewood NJ, Lesleypalooza – a month long effort to support my friend Lesley Linker, a soon-to-be single mother who is fighting an aggressive form of multiple sclerosis.
Specifically, we are trying to raise enough money so Lesley can cover the increasing costs of her medical care / support and so she and her two young kids can stay in their home.
To that end, I have two requests:
1. Visit Lesley’s “Go Fund Me” Page – Please visit the Lesleypalooza Go Fund Me page to learn more about Lesley, her kids and their situation and to make a donation of any size.
2. Forward This Message – Please forward this message to all of your friends, families and colleagues so that they can learn about Lesley’s situation … make a donation … and forward this email to all of their friends, families and colleagues.
Our goal is to reach as many people as possible over the next month.
For more information, please visit the Lesleypalooza Facebook page.
Ridgewood NJ, After at lest 10 years of water restrictions Ridgewood Water is now pushing “environmental changes” as an excuse for poor service.
A series of missteps has led Ridgewood Water from one disaster to another characterized by massive excuse making and under investment.
The fact is that poor management decisions have even resulted in a lawsuit that could have a significant impact on Village finances. A long-pending class action lawsuit of $14M against Ridgewood Water was brought by Midland Park, Wyckoff and Glen Rock and is now in state Superior Court in Hackensack.
at the 39:00 mark, 39:14 “several wells down due to contamination issues, historic data back in 1978, there were 61 wells in operation, today 34 wells. Good majority of those that are out, are due to contaminates, not caused by us, but over the years, may be caused by adjacent properties or over pumping the acquifier over the years.”
According the the Village of Ridgewood website there will be a non stop series of events promoting and attempting to establish “climate change” as the reason behind Ridgewood Waters failure to deliver proper service to Ridgewood residents.
2017 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOR RIDGEWOOD WATER
March 29th – The Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee (REAC), in conjunction with Ridgewood Water, will be hosting a presentation on issues relating to local water resources. The Ridgewood Water service area is under a State drought warning and continued Stage 2 watering restrictions. Changes in local municipal water restrictions are proposed which will make these conservation efforts permanent. Mike Furrey, Chair of the New Jersey Section of the American Water Works Association and president of AGRA Environmental & Laboratory Services will address the audience on the state of the water industry and Ridgewood Water’s “Journey from Rain to Drain”. Information on what customers can do to conserve water will also be presented and made available. The event will take place from 7:30 – 9 pm in the Senior Center at Village Hall, 131 N. Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ, on the first floor.
April 6th – The Ridgewood Public Library, Ridgewood League of Women Voters and the Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee (REAC) will present a documentary screening and discussion on the movie, “Tapped”. This film explores the role of the bottled water industry and its effects on health, climate change, pollution and the environment. Dave Scheibner, Ridgewood Water Business Manager, will also speak at the event which will take place from 7 – 9 pm in the Ridgewood Library Auditorium, 135 N. Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ.
April 6th – The Wyckoff Environmental Commission’s FLOW Green Film Festival will feature The Highlands Rediscovered. Following the movie will be a discussion with Sean Gilson of the NJ Highlands Coalition and updates on conservation and contaminants from Ridgewood Water’s Director of Operations, Richard Calbi Jr. The film starts at 7 pm in the Wyckoff Public Library, 200 Woodland Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ.
April 23rd The Conservancy for Ridgewood Public Lands and the Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee (REAC) in partnership with Ridgewood Water welcomes your participation at this year’s Earth Day event focusing on water conservation and featuring Ridgewood Water’s “Journey from Rain to Drain” as well as educational exhibits, food, musical entertainment, petting zoo, crafts, dog parade, giveaways and more. The event will be held from 11 am – 2 pm at Van Neste Memorial Park, E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ.
Sept. 14th – The Ridgewood League of Women Voters, in conjunction with Ridgewood Water, will host a water forum. Discussion topics to be announced this summer. The event will take place from 7:30 – 9 pm in the Senior Center at Village Hall, 131 N. Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ, on the first floor.
Oct. 18 th – The Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee (REAC), in conjunction with Ridgewood Water, will be hosting a presentation on issues relating to weather and drought. Dr. David Robinson, New Jersey State Climatologist, will address the audience on the changing climate in the state and the effects on utilities like Ridgewood Water. The event will take place from 7:30 – 9 pm in the Senior Center at Village Hall, 131 N. Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ, on the first floor.
Snowstorm Stella brought over eight inches of snow to the Village this week, and many of us are still digging out. I want to thank the residents for staying indoors and not traveling during the storm. Due to your assistance, only two motor vehicle crashes were reported and our crews doing the plowing were better able to manage the snow removal, in an attempt to keep the roadways clear.
Our crews doing the plowing and salting did a good job on the roads, despite the fact that they were challenged by large amounts of snow falling in a short amount of time. In addition, there was sleet mixed in with the snow, and bitter cold temperatures, which turned many streets to ice. Our crews doing the plowing also spent two nights clearing out both the streets and the parking lots of the Central Business District, the train station lot, and the Park and Ride lot. Many of you contacted the Village to let us know where there were ice or snow issues, which allowed us to address them as quickly as possible. We appreciate the feedback, because there is always room for improvement.
Due to the continued cold temperatures and the possibility of more snow in the coming days, all garbage must continue to be brought to the end of your driveway (not in the street), for the safety of our Village employees. This will continue through March 24th. Backyard collection of garbage will resume on March 27th, weather permitting.
